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5 reasons to walk the Winter Way
If you are planning to do the Camino de Santiago, probably the route of the French Way is the first one that comes to your mind. However, there are other alternatives less piled and just as exciting and beautiful as the Winter Way. If you want to discover all the qualities that make this route an experience to live, keep reading!
1. A very affordable way
If you are intimidated by the many kilometers and long days of hiking, the Winter Way may be a good option for you. This trail has some very approachable 210 km., Ideal if you are not used to walking long distances or if you want to experience the pilgrimage to Santiago but you have little time to embark on the adventure.
2. Avoid the snowy stretches
Coming to Santiago through the north of Galicia can be a particularly challenging if you set off in winter. The snowy peaks of O Cebreiro complicate the pilgrimage in the coldest months of the year and may even delay your journey. In fact, this is one of the reasons why medieval pilgrims preferred this route over the French Way, to avoid these sections full of snow and blizzards.
3. A variant of the French Way
The Winter Way is also a good possibility to consider if you have already completed the French Way with its corresponding Compostela and you want to relive the adventure of crossing Galicia. Begin your march in Ponferrada and follow the numerous indications that will guide you to the Galician capital. In addition, this road also has a meeting point with the Ruta de la Plata at the height of A Laxe.
4. With the Sil River
In addition to its religious dimension, the Camino is a wonderful option to discover the most characteristic landscapes of Galicia and tourism. In the case of the Winter Way, you will have the opportunity to walk along the Sil River through the province of Ourense and delight yourself with its famous canyons, which have captivated so many travelers and pilgrims.
5. Visit the Medulas
Do you need a motivation to get going? In the first stage, which goes from Ponferrada to Puente de Domingo Flórez (35 km), you can make a stop at Las Médulas, a place to have a break and contemplate the spectacular archaeological structures from the Roman Century. In addition, they are declared a World Heritage Site.
Do you want more reasons to start walking the most wintery route of the Camino? Visit their website and discover other curiosities and information about this pilgrimage route to Compostela, which will surely leave you wanting to repeat. From Fairway we strongly recommend you to the adventure, we wait for you in Santiago!